The end of the year is here and we are also delivering awards. We'll soon, for the end of this year, create a page in which we will elect the best albums of the year. Ok I know, this isn't as famous as MTV, but who gives a sh*t !!!We are talking about MetalReviews.com's awards, which are ten thousand times better, don't you think so ?
Danny : My first award (sorry for the spoiler :) ) will have to go for Brainstorm and their unbelievable great album Ambiguity. This is one of the mega-surprise of the year (with Warhead & Blaze). If there is one power metal album to buy this year, chose Ambiguity.
If I'm ever exiled to an island, Ambiguity will be with me. After all the bad luck this band has suffered with different singers, Andy B. Frank has given Brainstorm a new dimension (we are talking here of a top, world-class singer). Honestly, I just can't wait for the next record. (MR :Danny). We have joined Torsten Ihlenfeld, guitarist and songwriter, who explained to us what has happened in the last few months.
MR : So you're singer has gone to Metallium ?
Yeah, he decided to concentrate on Metallium. What was a project became a real band and we were obliged to look for a new singer. As he lived in Hamburg and the rest of the band lives near Stuttgart, the rehearsing was already a problem. So we have tested lots of vocalists.
MR : I can imagine !
One of them was Derick (MR : the guys we have seen at Wacken in 1999). But he never planned to be a permanent member of Brainstorm, because he wanted to do hard music like Pantera. This is why we have chosen to do Wacken 1999 with him, for the fans. And we decide at the end that Andy B. Frank will be our permanent vocalist.
MR : Who is also the singer of Symphorce.
Exactly.
MR : What was the reaction of your fans to all these lineup changes (vocalist) ?
We didn't split with anger so that wasn't a big deal for our fans to accept it. Of course, they more or less knew that even if we have changed our singer, Brainstorm's style would be the same. As me and the other guitar player are writing Brainstorm's songs, they were not too afraid. Of course the singer is important, but honestly the fans were very comprehensive with these lineup changes. Today we are very proud to have Andy as our singer and he is in the style of Markus ... just the face that changes.
MR : Ambiguity is more power-metal oriented compare to Unholy. Have you decide to change your music style?
No, not really. Actually, it depends on what the singer can sing you know. With Andy we got the chance to be more variable, from power metal songs to ballads. This is the first time we are able to put different songs and be totally satisfied with them.
MR : Why have you chosen to call your last album Ambiguity ?
We though it was the right title to use with all those singer changes and the label changes we have suffered lately. It is also « a cliché » about those guys lying to you. This is why you can see two demons in front of the cover-art and two angels in the back. I think we have tried to sum up in one word what we have suffered last year from different persons.
MR : I see. I thought you chose this title because the first song « » has a typical thrashy guitar riff (MR : the best power metal song of the year) ? This is quite new for Brainstorm.
Yes it is. Marcus (ex-singer) didn't want to sing this type of song ... and this is the first song we wrote when he left the band (laughs).
MR : Typical and logical reaction!
I think it depends on everything. Ambiguity represents also our lyrics (good and evil) ,our music and again ... everything that happened the last 15 months.
MR : You're right and I am sure Brainstorm's fans love this title. Back to Crush Depth, it really reminds me of Metallica or early Iced Earth's albums? Are you fan of this type of music?
Yeah definitely! We really like this US power-metal style and it is also a great influence. Vicious Rumors, Savatage, Iced Earth and the bay-area stuff like Testament or Forbidden are all great bands.
MR : This is what I wanted to say. This sound is quite new for Brainstorm. And "Beyond My Destiny" is very symphonic, reminding me sometimes Rage and lastest Kreator. Any comments on this track?
We always wanted to do a track like Beyond My Destiny (MR: hey guys, don't hesitate to do another one like this ... as soon as you want). Again it was very hard to do the vocals on this one, as they are very diverse from the rest of the album
MR : I agree
Marcus again was not the right singer for that type of song. Andy is doing great job on that one ... actually he has done a great job on the whole record.
MR : It helps to have such a singer when you write this type of song ?
Definitely !!! When you know your singer can sing hard or soft, it is much easier to write songs. You don't have to follow a certain direction only for your vocalist.
MR : I have read very good reviews from the German metal mags ?
Yes that's right. We got the 4th place on RockHard and 2nd place on Heavy oder Was? We also got 6 out of 7 from Hammer. That's great!
MR : The last track is a typical melodic German speed metal song (Helloween, Gamma Ray) and the perfect continuation of the Unholy record. Why have you put this wonderful song at the end?
Yeah I see (laughs). Isn't it a perfect song to end our CD? We wrote this song in two hours and we think it is the perfect way to end our album. It reminds the last song of our previous record.
MR : Let's compare for two seconds, Unholy & Ambiguity. Your last album is simply fantastic.
Oh thank you.
MR : However, if we compare your last two albums, we can say that Brainstorm has left the True metal for Power metal ? What is your opinion on that ? Do you think you may loose fans with this one?
I don't think so. First of all I don't like those metal categories. True, heavy or power.
It is all metal. I don't think we have to follow any categories and Brainstorm is not really a true metal band.
MR : Somehow you remind me of Squealer, who plays all kinds of styles on the same CD.
I agree. We don't want to limit ourselves in one category. Why do only "fast" songs for example. As we don't earn money with our music, it has to make ... fun you know. As we don't plan the songs when we are in studio, they just happen. We don't want to follow any categories. It is as it is!
MR : You don't make money from your songs ?
We can't earn our living from making music.
MR : Nothing more you mean
Yeah.
MR : What is your "best market" in Europe ?
It is hard to compare the different markets. Germany is a very big market of course. Greece is smaller but very important also. But I will say Germany because today it is one of the biggest metal-markets.
MR : Metal webzines are a new way for you to promote your band and your music!
What's your opinion about the Internet?
I think it is great to spread the news and to be directly connected with our fans. With the Internet the world gets smaller and you can reach the whole planet in two minutes and that's great.
MR : A last word for your fans & our readers?
First of all, a big THANKS to our fans who have stayed with us from the beginning and especially all the fans who have supported us the last 18 months. I would like to thank them for all the letters and for the support they gave us on our website.
MR : Thank you very much for this interview Torsten.
I thank you.
MR : And I cannot leave you without saying something right from my heart :
I really like your last album. It is a f*cking great album!
Oh thank you very much. I appreciate. See you.
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